Design of Bass Highway, Leith intersection overpass begins

CONCERNED: Sophie Fieldwick with her daughter Mia at the intersection along the Bass Highway. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Design works for a $10 million overpass upgrade on the Bass Highway has begun.

The state government will immediately commence design work for the overpass to address safety concerns at the Leith intersections on the Bass Highway.

Premier Will Hodgman said the community had been calling for an upgrade.

“It was clear that there was overwhelming support for an overpass and additional interim measures to improve safety at this intersection,” he said.

“An overpass will be built that connects the northern and southern parts of Leith road, removing the need to turn right on and off the highway.”

Earlier this year the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisation’s annual general meeting noted the need for urgent upgrades to improve safety for children travelling on the Leith/Forthside school bus.

The overpass will take about two years to build.

Mr Hodgman said, as an interim safety measure, electronic warning signage would be installed as soon as possible for vehicles accessing the intersections.